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Human rights

Haiti's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Gang Violence Continues to Worsen

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Haiti is facing its worst humanitarian crisis in years, with gang violence escalating rapidly, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, and committing widespread human rights abuses. The situation remains dire, with over 1.3 million people displaced, half of the population facing food insecurity, and the humanitarian response plan only 8% funded. The United Nations has warned that the international community must step up financial support and continue to increase support for Haiti's fight against gangs, while strictly respecting human rights and standards on the use of force.

Key Takeaways:

  • Between April and June, 1,520 people were killed and 609 more were injured in Haiti due to gang violence, with the majority of these deaths and injuries occurring in the capital or the Centre and Artibonite departments.
  • The number of people displaced in Centre and Artibonite has surpassed 240,000, with 45,000 people displaced in June alone, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
  • The situation remains exceptionally volatile, with gangs continuing to expand their influence in the Centre and Artibonite departments, even establishing sketches of governance to consolidate territorial gains.
  • Gangs have committed human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, child exploitations, trafficking, murder, and gang rape, with gang rape accounting for 85% of all documented cases.
  • Government security forces and local self-defence groups have also committed human rights abuses, with 64% of deaths and injuries attributed to security operations against gangs.
  • Security operations against gangs have resulted in 73 documented cases of summary executions and one-third of deaths occurring as a result of explosive drones.
  • One public prosecutor has killed 83 individuals with impunity since 2022, and a self-defence group killed over 55 people, mostly farmers, in late May.

Statistics:

  • 1,520 people killed and 609 more injured between April and June.
  • 240,000 people displaced in Centre and Artibonite departments.
  • 45,000 people displaced in June alone in Centre and Artibonite.
  • 64% of deaths and injuries attributed to security operations against gangs.
  • 73 documented cases of summary executions.
  • 83 people killed with impunity by one public prosecutor since 2022.
  • 85% of all documented cases of sexual violence are gang rape.

Sources:

  • United Nations News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • United Nations Mission in Haiti

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